Samsung Z320i InDepth Review Specs Pricing & More

Introduction to Samsung Z320i

The Samsung Z320i is a classic feature phone that was announced in the fourth quarter of 2005. With its discontinuation, it remains a piece of mobile history that reflects the technological capabilities of its time. This phone was part of Samsung's efforts to capture the feature phone market with robust, reliable devices, offering users basic multimedia functions, call services, and connectivity features that were considered advanced for the time.

Design and Build

The Samsung Z320i boasts a compact design that fits comfortably in the hand. With dimensions of 97 x 48 x 22.9 mm and a weight of 105 g, it was designed for portability. The Mini-SIM form factor supported a sleek design, with a somewhat thicker build compared to modern standards, but common for feature phones of that era. The phone was available in a classic black finish, adding to its universal appeal.

Display

The device features a 2.0-inch TFT display, capable of showing up to 256K colors, which was more than adequate for basic phone usage such as viewing SMS, navigating menus, and casually browsing the internet. With a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 141 ppi, the display provided clarity and vibrancy relative to competitors of its time, though it might seem quite limited by today's standards.

Camera Features

Equipped with a 1.3 MP main camera featuring an LED flash, the Samsung Z320i permitted users to capture photos and videos with basic quality, suitable for that era. Though quite modest in today's photographic terms, this camera allowed users to log moments and engage in primitive video capturing. It also included a VGA camera for video calls, emphasizing the phone's role in promoting communication.

Memory and Storage

The internal storage of the Samsung Z320i is 120MB, a standard offering which didn't support expansion via external card slots. It was tailored to store contacts, messages, and a modest collection of multimedia files. The phonebook feature permitted saving a large number of contacts, while call records documented the last 20 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Connectivity

The Samsung Z320i is equipped with essential connectivity features including GSM and UMTS technology supporting 2G and 3G networks. With data speeds available up to 384 kbps, it enabled users to engage with the i-mode browser for basic internet activities. Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP allowed for wireless connectivity with other devices, though there was no support for WLAN. Additionally, it lacked positioning and radio capabilities.

Audio Features

In terms of audio, the Samsung Z320i provided stereo speakers which enhanced the overall audio experience for calls and media. The alert types included vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, which were quite popular at the time for personalization. Notably, the device did not include a 3.5mm audio jack, a feature more common in later mobile device models.

Software and OS

As a feature phone, the Samsung Z320i ran a proprietary operating system rather than the sophisticated smartphone OS we see today. It supported basic applications such as SMS, MMS, and email messaging, along with downloadable games, enabling some level of entertainment and communication. Java support allowed additional apps and games, making it a flexible device for users of its time.

Battery Life

The Samsung Z320i was powered by a removable Li-Ion battery rated at 620mAh. This provided up to 200 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours of talk time, which was quite substantial given the power requirements of hardware at the time. The removable nature of the battery was aligned with design trends of feature phones, allowing users to swap out batteries and extend device usage significantly.

Concluding Remarks

Overall, the Samsung Z320i stands as a testament to the early days of mobile phone innovation. While it may seem limited by modern standards, its feature set represented a comfortable middle ground between basic communication devices and early smart capabilities. It catered to users seeking reliability with some multimedia functionalities, forming an integral part of Samsung’s mobile legacy.